A Wandering Man is Not God's Man
Solomon once said, Like a bird that wanders from its nest is a man who wanders from his place (Proverbs 27:8, NKJV). It is sad but true that there are some husbands and fathers who walk out on their families. According to data collected from the U.S. Census Bureau in 2023, almost 20 million children live without a biological, step, or adoptive father in the home (https://www.fatherhood.org/father-absence-statistic). That's about one in four children. Not all of those would be because the father chose to leave, but I am sure a lot are.
Being a husband and father is sobering. A man realizes that God has put his family's physical and spiritual training in his hands. Regarding male leadership, the Scriptures say, Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them. Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged (Colossians 3:18-21). This sense of responsibility ought to be enough to bring a man to his knees every night to ask for help from his heavenly Father. But some men abdicate this God-given role putting it off on their wives as they concentrate on their careers. It is the wife that teaches the children to pray. It is the wife that teaches Bible lessons to the children instructing them in right and wrong. It is the wife that takes the children to worship services. These things ought not to be so. She can certainly do this, but this responsibility falls on the man, and he should be the one to take the lead in these areas of great importance. And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).
Being a husband and father is rewarding. Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil All the days of her life (Proverbs 31:10-12). The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son makes a glad father, But a foolish son is the grief of his mother (Prov. 10:1). Psychologists say there are three primary needs of people: To love, to be loved, and to have a sense of purpose. A husband and father can certainly find these in this life. But also, imagine his joy when he sees his wife and children in heaven with him. Of course, there are instances when a father has tried his best, but the child rebels. A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her who bore him (Prov. 17:25).
Being a husband and father is an honor. Men have the opportunity to imitate the Lord, and that is certainly an honor. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her (Eph. 5:25). A wife will surely honor a husband who conducts himself like Christ. Often, a child’s first impression of what God is like is based on what his father is like. God is loving and he is just. He forgives, but he also punishes. He desires what is best for us, but he doesn’t force his way on us. Abraham was a man subject to like passions as we are, but God said this about him: For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice, that the LORD may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him (Genesis 18:19). What a great compliment God paid Abraham!
Men, you who are husbands and fathers, God loves you very much. He has graciously given you a ministry - your family. Embrace it! Do not wander from your place.
Brotherly, Jamie
